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Cars from movies: 2020 edition

Looking for some new films to watch in lockdown? Here’s our top picks from the pics, starring some of the best cars on the silver screen.

Last updated on 30 September 2020 | 0 min read

Goldfinger
Watch out for: Aston Martin DB5
One of the best-known cars in the world thanks to a star turn in ‘Goldfinger’, the Aston Martin DB5 is consider by many to be Bond’s signature vehicle. Including cameo appearances, the DB5 has featured in seven films so far. In August 2018, Aston Martin announced plans to build 25 replicas of the Goldfinger DB5. These replicas will include some of the gadgets seen in the film and will cost around £2.75m each. Luckily for you, we’ve got Aston Martins for a fraction of that price. They may not have ejector seats (we hope), but they’re well worth a look.
James Bond Aston Martin DB5
Grease
Watch out for: Greased Lightning (1948 Ford De Luxe Convertible)
A battered Ford De Luxe convertible is transformed into a systematic, hydromatic, ultramatic greased lighting in 1978’s musical ‘Grease’. Over the course of the film, the convertible saw Danny Zuko to victory in his drag race, and then somehow learned to fly. These days, an original replica is available to rent down in Essex. It doesn’t fly though.
The Italian Job
Watch out for: 1967 Austin Mini Cooper S 1275
Everyone loves a classic Mini. Without a doubt, their most memorable film roles is in the 1969 heist caper, ‘The Italian Job’. To this day, an annual ‘Italian Job’ charity event runs from England to Northern Italy, featuring Minis and other cars from the film. Minis have gone on to become an icon of 1960s British pop culture and were voted the second most influential car of the 20th century (behind the Ford Model T) in the Car of the Century award in 1999.
Italian Job Mini Coopers
Kill Bill Vol.1
Watch out for: 1997 Chevrolet 2500 Silverado Fleetside
Better known under another less polite name, this bright yellow Silverado Fleetside found fame as the Bride’s first vehicle on her road to revenge. The Wagon has also nabbed guest spots in music videos from Missy Elliot (‘I’m Really Hot’) and Lady Gaga (‘Telephone feat. Beyoncé’), and is now owned by Kill Bill’s director, Quentin Tarantino. Fancy a spin? Find used and new Chevrolet Pickups on Auto Trader UK.
Christine
Watch out for: 1958 Plymouth Fury
Stephen King’s possessed Plymouth Fury terrorised Detroit in 1983’s novel/cult-classic horror movie ‘Christine’. The Fury was produced from 1955 to 1989, and Christine herself was a custom 1958 make. Only two of the 20 cars used in the film still exist, and they’re both in the hands of collectors.
Detroit, the city terrorized by Christine
Starsky & Hutch
Watch out for: The Striped Tomato (1976 Ford Gran Torino)
Starsky’s beloved Torino is as famous as the human stars of the show. It became one of the most recognisable cars in America during the show’s 1970s heyday. Due to the show’s popularity, Ford produced 1,302 of the 1976 Gran Torino to meet demand. Nowadays, fewer than 100 are thought to still exist. Explore Auto Trader’s range of classic Ford cars.
The Love Bug
Watch out for: Volkswagen Beetle
Even though all branding was removed in the first film, Herbie the Love Bug has gone on to become one of the most famous VW Beetles in the world. More than 100 cars were used across the five films, which saw the sentient car travel the world and compete in a number of high-profile races. Feeling nostalgic? Browse Auto Trader’s range of non-sentient Volkswagen Beetles
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Watch out for: Paragon Panther
In the film, the 12-cylinder, 8.0-litre supercharged Paragon Panther was saved from scrap by Caractacus Potts. Rebuilt and renamed Chitty Chitty Bang Bang after its unusual engine noise, it went on to float on water and even fly. The original novel was written by Ian Fleming (creator of James Bond), and the 1968 screenplay was co-written by Ken Hughes and famous children’s author Roald Dahl.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang aka the Paragon Panther
Vanishing Point
Watch out for: Dodge Challenger R/T
‘Vanishing Point’ remains one of the quintessential films of the carsploitation genre (popular in the 1970s and 1980s, they featured scenes of cars racing and crashing). Trying to get from Denver to San Francisco in just 15 hours, the Dodge Challenger R/T stars in one of the longest car chases in movie history. While we don’t encourage you to emulate the film, you can buy a Dodge Challenger on Auto Trader today.
Little Miss Sunshine
Watch out for: 1971 Volkswagen T2 Microbus
The iconic T2 Microbus takes centre stage in 2006’s ‘Little Miss Sunshine’. Over the course of the 800-mile road trip, the aging T2 tests its passengers with several breakdowns and mechanical failures. Fortunately, not all VWs are as unreliable, and you can pick up your very own motorhome on Auto Trader.
Volkswagen Minibus
Wayne's World
Watch out for: 1976 AMC Pacer Hatchback
Touted as the ‘first wide small car’ when it debuted, the AMC Pacer found another generation of fans in 1992 when a bright blue model with flame decals starred in ‘Wayne’s World’. The ‘Mirth-Mobile’ sold at auction a couple of years ago for a hefty $37,400 (£29,000). Schwing!
Transformers
Watch out for: Bumblebee (VW Beetle, 1977 Camaro, 2009 Camaro)
Bumblebee first appeared on film as a second-generation 1977 Chevy Camaro, before converting into a fifth-generation later down the line. The Camaro is considered one of the best classic American muscle cars. In his recent, self-titled, movie and original cartoon appearances, however, Bumblebee disguises himself as a VW Beetle.
VW Dune Beetle
The Dark Knight Trilogy
Watch out for: Batmobile Tumbler
There have been some iconic Batmobiles over the years, but the tank-esque Tumbler gets a spot for two reasons: it looks awesome, and it’s real. Built with 37-inch off-road tires, carbon-fibre body panels and a Chevy V8 engine that can do 0-60mph in 5.0 seconds, the Tumbler is a cross between a Lamborghini and a tank. It looked very different as a proof-of-concept model, however, which Christopher Nolan admitted he made from Play-Doh.
Thelma and Louise
Watch out for: 1966 Ford Thunderbird
Originally chosen for how practical it would be to film, the Thunderbird has secured its place in film history as the stylish ride for Thelma and Louise. Five cars were used in the film, including two for stunts and one just for exterior shots. Unusually for a car on film, no customisations were needed for filming: the car on screen is the same as one on the showroom floor. One of the Thunderbirds sold at auction for €71,500 (£63,000), although it was signed by both Brad Pitt and Geena Davis. Another one of the film’s cars sold in Italy for €30,680 (£27,000). You can find your very own Ford Thunderbird on Auto Trader.
Ghostbusters
Watch out for: Cadillac Miller-Meteor
The Ecto-1, alongside the Proton Pack, Giga meter and more, was designed by Stephen Dane for 1984’s Ghostbusters. The vehicle was based on a 1959 Cadillac chassis, built by the Miller-Meteor company. After being used for promotional purposes, getting crashed into by a park vehicle at Universal Studios, and being left on the back car park at Sony, the Ecto-1 was bought and restored by a fan movement, while faithful replicas sell at auction for tens of thousands.
Ghostbuster Ecto-1, the Cadillac Miller-Meteor
Jurassic Park
Watch out for: Ford Explorer XLT
Spare a thought for the poor Ford Explorers, which took such a beating in 1993’s Jurassic Park that three dumpsters had been filled with parts by the time filming had ended. Fun fact: these cars weren’t automated. The driver was just hiding in the boot and watching the road through a small TV.
Back to the Future
Watch out for: 1981 DeLorean DMC-12
The DeLorean is one of the most recognisable movie cars, but it was a flop when it debuted in the 1980s. Despite its retro-futurist design by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the DeLorean was let down by a weak engine. In the film, they replaced the exhaust sound of the V6 with the V8 from a Porsche 928. Nowadays, there’s a new DeLorean Motor Company dedicated to restoring and improving these cult cars. No word on whether they’ve got a flux capacitor working yet though.
Back to the Future's DeLorean on display
Dumb and Dumber
Watch out for: 1984 Ford Econoline
The Mutt Cutts van was a customised (to put it lightly) 1984 Ford Econoline. The wagon stood out thanks to its tan carpet interior and exterior, complete with a rear leg that needed lifting to reach the petrol cap. Fancy a Ford motorhome? Take a look at the used and new options on Auto Trader.
Gone in 60 Seconds
Watch out for: Eleanor, 1971 (styled as 1973) customised Ford Mustang Sportsroof (1974 original) / 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 (2000 remake)
Eleanor is one of the true stars of H.B. Halicki’s 1974 classic ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’, and the 2000 remake. In the original, she’s a customised 1971 Ford Mustang Sportsroof (designed to look like the 1973 model), and the only Mustang in history to receive a star title credit in a movie. In the 2000 remake, she’s a 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500. Although 11 replicas were made for filming, only three survived and have all been sold at auctions. Take a look at the used and new Ford Mustangs in stock today.
Eleanor, the 1967 Shelby GT500 from Gone in 60 seconds
Scooby Doo
Watch out for: Mystery Machine
Mystery Inc’s iconic vehicle has starred in five live action films and more than 40 animated movies and features. The original Mystery Machine from the animated series was thought to be a VW Microbus, but various internet sleuths have proved this to be wrong… it’s more likely a hybrid of several things. The first live-action film from 2004 used a 1994 Chevrolet G20 cargo van.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Watch out for: Ford Anglia
16 different Ford Anglias were used to film Harry and Ron’s journey to Hogwarts in the second Harry Potter film. Some were cut in half to allow for filming, while others were left in various stages of disrepair after the fight with the Whomping Willow. Over 1.5 million Ford Anglias were produced during the car’s lifespan, before it was replaced by the Ford Escort. Shop Auto Trader’s Ford range
Ford Anglia, as seen in the Harry Potter franchise
The Lincoln Lawyer
Watch out for: 1986 Lincoln Town Car
Matthew McConaughey starred in 2011’s neo-noir thriller as a criminal defence attorney who operates from the back of a chauffeured Lincoln Town Car. A luxury Cartier edition was chosen for the film, with two cars being used for outside shots and one being modified to better suit internal filming.
Bullitt
Watch out for: The Ford Mustang
1968’s Bullitt featured the Highland Green Mustang GT 390 in all its glory, plus a classic car chase through San Fran. The 1968 Mustang Fastback featured in the film was sold at auction for a record (and eye-watering) $3.4 million dollars, on Friday, January 10, 2020.
National Lampoon's Vacation
Watch out for: 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire
The Griswold Family Truckster was created especially for the film, but it was based on the real-world 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire station wagon. The station wagon was the seventh and final generation of Ford’s Country Squires, which were discontinued in the 1990s – partly in response to the rising popularity of SUVs. Take a look at the used and new SUVs available on Auto Trader today.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Watch out for: The Gigahorse
This beast of a vehicle featured in the 2015 Mad Max film. Built with a custom chassis, the body is made of two 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Villes sitting on top of each other. The 1959 Cadillac model was visually striking thanks to sharp tailfins and dual bullet tail lights. The Gigahorse one-ups this somewhat thanks to the casual addition of twin V16 engines and a mounted flamethrower.

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